Yesterday was Fathers day and I spent the first part of it with all my children. Once I'd done morning stables Tilly, Sholti, Panda and I went to the Country Fair run by the Heythrop Hunt. It was held on the farm owned by Johnny Wills where the new Heythrop point-to-point will be.
We were one of the first to arrive. Tilly and Sholto had a spin on the Go-carts before the three of them played havoc on the bouncy castle. I struck a deal with them that once they had had a few rides we had to walk the point-to-point course before any sweets were bought!!
No one will have any business taking a slow horse there and it certainly has the potential to be one of the best tracks around. It will be left handed and a flat galloping track. It is on free draining soil so the ground will never become too soft. There will be no excuses for horse or rider when racing does take place there and I would imagine the best horse will generally win.
Yesterday Country Fair was in aid of The Eloise and Katie Plunkett Memorial Trust, Eloise and Katie both lost their lives to different forms of cancer at a ridiculously young age, if anyone would like to know more about the trust please visit the website, www.eloiseandkatie.com. In 2005 I ran the London Marathon in aid of The Trust and Katharine House Hospice. In total I raised in excess of £20,000 to be split between the two charities. It is something I am very proud of. Katharine House Hospice is also a charity close to my heart as both by parents spent their last few days in the Adderbury Hospice. It is the most amazing place and people are able to retain some small bit of dignity in their dying days. Again if anyone would like to know more about Katharine House please visit their website www.katharinehouse.co.uk. If you are feeling kind spirited donations can be made through both websites. I can not remember the exact figures it costs to fund Katharine House on a daily basis but it is mind blowing and no matter how small donations are they all count and make a huge difference to people's lives.
I am constantly feeling guilty that I don't ring my owners often enough and am off to ring a couple now.
